The federal government will press ahead with "an independent program" to study the health effects of wind farms even though a survey of global research on the issue by a leading Australian medical body is yet to be made public.

The National Health and Medical Research Council began its review of so-called ''wind-turbine syndrome'' in September 2012 and the results are expected to be released in ''coming months''. Prime Minister Tony Abbott told commercial radio this month that research should be refreshed "from time to time" to consider whether there were "new facts that impact on old judgments". "It is some years since the NHMRC last looked at this issue - why not do it again?" Mr Abbott said. A "rapid review" of the evidence by the council in 2010 found "renewable energy generation is associated with few adverse health effects''.

The Victorian government will contribute $100,000 to the extra wind farm health study by the council or other designated body.

Simon Chapman, a professor of public health at Sydney University, said Mr Abbott appeared to be swayed by a tiny group of anti-wind farm campaigners, such as the Waubra Foundation. "We all need to be concerned about whether he's being influenced by little more than a cult."